Carrier for welding outfits



Jam 6, 1953 E', E. KETZEL 2,624,483

CARRIER FOR WELDING OUTFITS 2 SHEETS- SHEET l Filed Feb. 16, 1950 y ///////////////////"ll 521 "l go 17 65 f K l z5 /l'; Z 2 51 f if 76 65.?15 15 6055 g 55 68 61 86 54 58 gmc/wm ATTOR N EYS Jan. 6, 1953 E. E. KETZEL 2,624,483

CARRIER FOR WELDING OUTFITS Filed Feb. 16, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 5 9 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT QFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to carriers and holders for welding outts including the gas cylinders used in welding, such as oxygen and acetylene cylinders, and more particularly to a combined carrier and holder adapted both to transport such outfit on the highway behind a vehicle and to hold it rmly in an upright position during welding operations.

The cylinders containing gas under pressure used in Welding operations are heavy metal cylinders of substantial weight. Cylinders of oxygen and of acetylene .are used together, their combined weight being too great to be readily lifted by one operator, and once the outiit is connected and placed in position it can be moved only with diiliculty, sometimes requiring that it be at least partially disassembled, and necessitating the services of two or more men working together.

In practical operations, welding jobs often must be performed in the field, because the material to be Welded, such as large tanks or bridge repair work, cannot be moved to a factory, shop or other location Where welding equipment is permanently available, or it is more convenient and economical to move the equipment to the site of the job than to move the job into the shop.

Where welding operators 'having work of the character indicated voutside their shop use an automotive truck to transport the cylinders and their accompanying equipment to such outside jobs, a relatively expensive truck is tied up, or the truck must be repeatedly loaded and unloaded. The services of more than one man are ordinarily required in this loading and unloading land in otherwise moving the outiit, by reason of ythe weight and generally awkward shape of the cylinders and the necessity of protecting the valves, gauges and welding equipment attached t0 them. Furthermore, there is always the possibility in moving the outt that one of the heavy cylinders may be dropped and injure the persons handling it, or damaging the relatively fragile equipment attached thereto.

After the equip-ment has been transported to a job site, it may be necessary to move the outfit into a building or to some other space not accessible to an automotive truck. Even inside a factory, Shop, or other place in which welding equipment is used, it may often be necessary or convenient to move the equipment from one place to another.

When the outfit is being used in welding oper ations, either inside a Shop or factory or on an outside job, it is desirable to stand it in an upright position on the base of the cylinders, i. e.,

the end opposite the one containing the valves and to which the hoses and auxiliary equipment are attached. This base is ordinarily of -relatively small diameter and, although the weight of the cylinders gives them some stability in this position, there is always danger that they may accidentally fall or be pushed over., with the possibility of injuring someone or of damaging the various connections.

The present invention affords an `unusually flexible, ei'licient and inexpensive apparatus for moving and holding a welding outt and its gas cylinders which overcomes these diiculties .and inefficiencies in 'handling the outfit, .and which in addition oiiers many advantages in eflicient operation. 1t embodies a carrier on which the outfit may be loaded and held, and on which it may be transported from job site to job site on the highway as a vehicle trailer kbehind an ordinary passenger automobile or truck. kThe attaching means include a shock-absorbing hitch which improves the riding qualities of the carrier and reduces jarring of the cylinders during transportation. The carrier vis sufficiently strong and well balanced so that it may be pulled at `all ordinary speeds of travel without undue jerking or dragging and without adversely affecting the steering and riding qualities of the vehicle pulling it. At the same time it is so designed that the cylinders are resiliently supported, and even at relatively lfast speeds `are not subjected to undue jolting.

The carrier is nevertheless sufficiently small and light that, disengaged from a vehicle, it can be employed as a hand truck pulled by a handle, both on the comparatively smooth floors of a shop or factory, and on relatively rough lterrain out of doors. Under either set of conditions, the entire weight of the carrier itself and of the welding outfit and cylinders is carried on the wheels of the carrier.

rThe present device is so constructed that when the cylinders are placed in position on it, and the carrier and cylinders are placed in an upright position, the rear portion of the carrier serves as a broad, iirm base, stabilizing the cylinders and holding them from tipping or bei-ng accidentally made to fall over. It is in addition so arranged thatthe weight of the carriage and of the cylinders tend to counterbalance each other, so as substantially to reduce the effort necessary to move the cylinders `from either the horizontal or upright position to the other.

It is suiciently light and is Yso constructed that it may easily be managed in all its operations by one man, who can load it, move it to a vehicle and fasten it in piace there for transportation on the highway, disengage it from the vehicle and move it into position on the job site and tilt it into an upright position for use, and can remove empty cylinders and replace them with fresh ones, all without the assistance of anyone else and without danger of injuring himself or damaging the equipment attached to the cylinders.

It is accordingly the principal object of the invention to provide a carrier and holder for a welding outfit, including the gas cylinders, on which the equipment may be easily loaded and unloaded, which is adapted to transport the welding outfit over the highway pulled by an automobile or other vehicle, which when detached from such vehicle may easily be moved manually, which when placed in an upright position will hold such outt firmly against falling over, which may be loaded and unloaded and operated and controlled in all its uses by one operator acting alone, and which is strong and simple in operation and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the carrier, shown fastened to attaching means behind an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the carrier with the near rear wheel and near fender removed, in position for being moved by its handle,

with cylinders in place indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the carrier with the tool box removed;

Fig. 4 is a detailed View on an enlarged scale of the rear section of the cylinder holder in the same arrangement as in Fig. 3, shown in fragmentary form;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view showing the carrier in an upright operative position in full lines, in a horizontal position for transport in dotted lines, and also in an intermediate position;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the carrier with the cylinders and the top portion of the cylinder holder removed, partly broken away to show details of construction;

Fig. '1 is a fragmentary detailed view in section taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of a part of the forward end of the carrier, showing the hitch and handle assembly, on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 shows such a carrier l attached to an automobile by attaching means I2 fixed on the rear bumper of the automobile and a shock-absorbing hitch indicated generally at I3, with an oxygen cylinder I and an acetylene cylinder I6 in position, in position to be transported over the highway. Carrier IO is comprised of a frame I1 having parallel side members (Fig. 6) I8 and I9 and parallel connecting front and rear end members and 2|. Frame I1 may be made of any standard metal shape such as steel angle iron or steel bars, an economical, light, strong material being standard seamless steel tubing or steel pipe. The tubing or pipe is bent in any well known way to form rounded corners, and the free ends are welded or otherwise joined together to form a single flat, strong, one-piece unit.

Frame I1 is supported at its rear end by a pair of highway vehicle wheels 22 and 23 (Fig. 3) fastened somewhat to the rear of the center of the frame. In order to insure good riding qualities when the outt is being transported and to reduce shocks and jars to the outfit, these wheels should have pneumatic tires. Any standard vehicle Wheel assembly of appropriate size may be used. Those shown in the drawing have stub shafts 25 and 26 attached, and for added strength an axle may be completed by welding a member 21, between the inner opposing ends of said stub shafts. As will be noted from the drawings, it is advisible to fasten such axle on the upper side of the frame in order to reduce the center of gravity and improve the riding qualities of the carrier 0n the highway.

Frame I1 is supported at its forward end by forward wheel mounted in a yoke 3| fastened to the under side of a plate 32 by means of a swivel connection 33. Plate 32 is welded at the center of front end member 20, and forward wheel 30 is shown as turning freely in all directions to facilitate moving the carrier on its three wheels. The size of wheel 30 and length of the arms of yoke 3| will depend on the diameter of vehicle wheels 22 and 23, the respective positions of the front wheel and the rear wheels being so coordinated that the frame of the carrier is supported substantially parallel to the ground when in such position.

A transverse member 35 (Fig. 6) xed between side members I8 and |9 forward of axle 21, strengthens the frame and forms a base for forward supports 36 and 31 which are welded on the upper side of transverse member 35, substantially perpendicular to the plane of frame I 1. Corresponding rear supports 38 and 39 (Fig. 3) are fastened to rear end member 2 I. In order to reduce jars and shocks to the cylinders and their attachments when they are being transported, and to improve the riding characteristics of the carrier when being pulled on a highway at the relatively fast modern traveling speeds, forward supports 36 and 31 and rear supports 38 and 39 should be so placed with respect to each other that when the cylinders are in place on the carrier an appreciable portion of their weight, although less than half, is carried forward of the forward supports.

In addition, further cushioning action for the welding outfit is given by the rear supports 38 and 39, which are so constructed as to be springy and resilient in action. Such supports may be made of flat steel bars approximately 11/2 inches wide and 1A; inch thick, bent at 4| (Fig. 1) to form two portions substantially at right angles to each other, one end being welded to rear end member 2| and extending rearwardly in substantially the plane of frame I1, and the other portion extending upwardly to form, respectively, the rear supports 38 and 39.

A cylinder holder indicated generally at (Figs. 2 and 3) is fixed to the outer ends of forward supports 3G and 31, and rear supports 38 and 33. Gas cylinders suitable for use in welding are of standard sizes, those for acetylene measuring approximately 9 inches in diameter for the medium size and 13 inches in diameter for the larger size, and for oxygen approximately '1 inches in diameter for the medium size and 9 inches for the larger size. It is customary to use together either the medium size or the larger size cylinders. A simple and inexpensive holder may be formed from standard .ascenso :seamless steel-.tubing of appropriate diameter cut .into -desired .short .lengths b y sawing, oxy ,acetylene lcutting Ior `.other well .known -means to form comparatively 'narrow rlat steel hoops., which Vare .assembled into forward section .d5 .and rear section 4% V.of the holder, rear 'section 46 being shown jas 'somewhat Wider than forward section for added strength.

Rear section 46 (Figs. 3 and 4) -maybemade economically and conveniently by cutting two of the hoops previously formed approximately in .half into semicircles 52 and 5.3 and V51S yand 55, respectively. Short pieces of flat stock v.of the same 'width are welded to the ends .-.of 'semicircle 52 to form ear 56 vand connectingT mem- .ber 51. One vend of semicircle 5d :is welded to lthe free end :of the connecting member zand :another short piece of iat stock vis welded to the free end of such semicircle 5d to form fear .58, the whole forming a double yoke-shaped hcldersection indicated by the referencenumber 59. Holder section .59 `is attached to rear 'supports 33 and 39 .by welding the outer vpart .of the circumference of its two semicircles at the outer end of such .supports to form the fixed Yportion 59 of .the rear section of the holder.

The vmovable -portion of Athe rear section of .the holder is similarly constructed from the remaining semicircles 53 and 55.. which are itted and joined with ears 60 and 6I and connecting piece .'62 to form a movable Vdouble .yoke-shaped holder member 53 corresponding `in shape to fixed member 59. The appropriate end of -movable portion 63 then is fastened to fixed portion 59 by hinge 65., Ythe hinge being so placed that a short lip 65 `on movable portion G3 extends `beyond the closed edge of the hinge `such -distance that it will not impede the opening of .movable portion `t3 -to aposition approximately perpendicular to ear .56, vbut that when it reaches `such position its outer end -will come .into contact with ear 55 and act as a `stop or .detent to prevent the `movable portion from passing the perpendicular and thus placing an :undue strain .on hinge 65.

Means vfor holding vthe .cylinder `holder closed are provided for the rear section Yat '5L and may conveniently 'consist of a ,threaded bolt `68 having its head welded to ear y523, and with its threaded end extending -upwardly ,and `passing lthrough a slit .or hole vin ear .61 .and fitted `with wing nut 68.

Forward vsection 45 of the cylinder .holder is substantially the same in structure as ...rear .sec-

tion 4@ and is fixed in substantially .the .same

manner to the tops of forward `connecting mem- .bers 3S and .31. In order .to .hold the forward and rear sections of the holderin proper spaced relation .and to strengthen `the structure, lower longitudinal spacing members 'i5 Vand 16 are .fixed between the fixed portion of the front and rear sections at their lowest point, where they join the respective connecting members .35, 31, `38 and 39, and upper longitudinal spacing anembers Il and 78 are xed between the .movable portion of the front and .rear sections at .their `highest point. These spacing members may conveniently be made from standard flat stock, and welded uinto place.

Short retaining strips .B and l, which may valso be made from standard flat stock, are welded across the rear edge of the fixed portion oi :the cylinder holder to hold the cylinders against rearward movement when they are being transported .in ahorizontal position, or in the slightly .oblique .position 'shown in lFig. 11 vin which they are transported on thehighway.

.It rwi-ll 'be .seen that the welding `outfit .may easily .be loadedon the carrier and fastened there by a single operator .in a simple operation. VThe cylinders are placed side by side in an .upright position on .any suitable 'flat surface, `and 'the carrier wheeled into `,an vappropriate position adjacent to them. The carrier is then tilted around bend M in the yrear support members 38 and 39 `as `a pivot, into an upright position in -whichit rests on the base formed Vby the outer faces .of the lrear .support members and 'of the cylinder holder, with its wheels off the ground. The two sectionssliii 'and d5 of the :cylinder holder are opened, rand each cylinder is successively tipped slightly so .that `its weight .rests .on ythe perimeterofits base. I-n 'this position -the greater portion of Athe weight of the cylinder rests on .the v.edge of the base, rather than on the .opera-tor .and the 'cylinder thus may easily `be .rolled intoitsvappropriate place in the holder by one man alone. The cylinder .holder .is then ;closed and fastened, and the valves, gauges .and hoses attached, Athe --hoses .being wrapped conveniently around the cylinders and fastened, ready to `be transported. The .carrier with the assembled welding Voutt in place may be lowered by .the operator by pivoting around .bend `il so Ythat -it rests in a substantially vhorizontal position on its three wheels, ready to be moved. -When it .is desired :to replace one or both of the cylinders, this operation is reversed, .and .the cylinders .vremoved and replaced with others.

hFenders Vfl'and {l-.may be `provided in rorder to .improve the appearance and to prevent splash- .ing 4of water and vdirt when the carrier .is Y`being transported on the highway. These imay be `formed into conventional shape from sheet steel. The forward end of left fender .is fastened --to frame l1 by rbrace 811, which is 'formed .frornbar stock with its top end bent outwardly and `atan .appropriate langle and ioined -to the fender at 88., the bottom end being bent inwardly andfastened to left side member i8 at 89. rIhe highest-point of .the fender is fastened to the under side Aofear 'bybolts 90. Its rear edge 95, which terminates somewhat forward of the rear Vend of the carrier in order that it will fnottouch the ground when the .carrieris in'fuprightposition .(Fig. 6) is flared to approximately the horizontal, Aand is v:fastened by .bolts 9.6 to the outer end of braced?. This :brace is `.formed of bar stock twisted at .9.8 so .that .its two end vportions .areat .right angles to each other as `clearly appears from Fig.- 3, .the

brace being bent slightly forward to bring its rear yedge flush with the rear yedge of .the fender. 'The'inner/end lof brace Si yis fastened to rear sup- Vport by boltsl.

Right 'fender :86 is formed and attached :to frame I1 .in a corresponding manner.

Ylin order .conveniently .to control the carrier when it yris being moved by hand, a handle tilt (Fig. 6) kis fastened to the :forward end of .the carrier.. This :may beformed'from a singlelength vof inch `round bar stock, 'bent tc form agg-rip portion r0.1, a shaft M2, and spring .portion 1.0.4, the ends of which are inwardlyturned to .form attaching pins HB5. These ends may, .if desired, be welded-together as .shown at iili (Fig. :8) for added strength. Ears |31 and ld vare'weldedto the topof plate 32, with holesin their upper ends receiving pin-s H35. It will be yseen that handle `|05 maybe pivoted on said pins |05 in a forward direction for pulling the carriage .(Fig. .21). and

l in a backward direction along the center line of the carriage to t between the cylinders (Figs. 1 and 5), where it is conveniently out of the way when the carrier is being pulled behind a vehicle or is at rest in either a horizontal or upright position.

Between the ears |01 and |08 is fastened a simple but strong and efficient shock-absorbing hitch indicated generally by reference numeral I3 and shown in detail in Fig. 7 for fastening the carrier to a vehicle for transportation on the highway. This hitch comprises a cylinder III welded to the top of plate 32 and held in position at its front end by ears |01 and |08 and at its rear by plates I I2 welded to its sides and to plate 32. Cylinder I I I is fitted at its forward end with a suitable cap H3 welded thereon, and with a sliding disk H4 fitted snugly but slidingly inside it. Between cap H3 and disk H4 is coil spring H5. Bolt |20 is fitted through apertures at the center of cap H3 and disk H4, passing through the center of the coil of spring H5 and being held in place against disk l I4 by nut I2 I, nut i2! being itself secured by cotter pin |22. The head of bolt I is formed to cooperate with means fastened to the vehicle for attaching the carrier thereto, being shown in the drawing as having a ring-shaped head I24 to receive a pin, but a standard ball and socket connection or any other well known attaching device may be used.

The carrier may easily be fastened to a Vehicle by lifting its forward end until it is inclined toward a horizontal position and forward wheel 3D is maintained out of contact with the ground, and fastening the head of bolt I 20 to cooperating attaching means I2. The shocks and jerk-s between the carrier and the vehicle pulling it, both in starting and stopping and in traveling on the road, will be absorbed and reduced by the flexing action of spring H5 pressing between cap H3 and plate H4. Spring H5 should be sufficiently heavy to absorb and control the strains which are placed on it, and a proper degree of tension may easily be placed on it by adjusting nut |2I.

Transverse braces and I3I (Fig. 6), which may conveniently be formed from angle iron, are welded between side members I8 and I9, serving both to strengthen the frame and to support toolbox I32 for carrying welding materials, wrenches and similar material for use with the outfit.

It will thus be seen that the invention furnishes an efhcient, light, strong device for-'transporting a welding outt, which has many advantages. It may be used in place of an automobile truck, ef-

fecting a large saving in investment, and may be managed in all its operations by a single opera-- tor, saving a great deal in time and wages. It is adaptable as a vehicle trailer, as a hand-pulled carrier, and as a. stabilizer for the outfit when in an upright position, and it is at the same time relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture. While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier for transporting a Welding outt on the highway and for supporting it in an upright position in use, comprising a frame, a pair of vehicle wheels at either side of said frame, a holder on said frame for removably receiving a plurality of cylinders containing gas for welding,

iii

resilient means on said frame extending rearwardly thereof forming a support for said cylinders during highway transportation, said resilient means including a spring portion substantially in the plane of said frame and a portion substantially at right angles to said spring portion constituting a base for holding said cylinders in substantially upright operative position on a supporting surface when said frame is tilted to said upright position for use of said outt, and means at the forward end of said frame for connecting said carrier to an automotive vehicle for said highway transportation with said frame and said cylinders inclined toward a horizontal position.

2. A carrier for transporting a welding outfit on the highway and for supporting it in an upright position in use, comprising a frame, a pair of vehicle wheels at either side of said frame, a smaller wheel at the forward end of said frame for supporting said carrier in substantially horizontal position for manual movement from place to place, a holder on said frame for removably receiving a plurality of cylinders containing gas for welding, resilient means on said frame extending rearwardly thereof forming a support for the rear of said cylinder holder, said resilient means including spring portions substantially in the plane of said frame, and support portions substantially at right angles to said spring portions. said support portions and the rear of said holder providing a base for supporting said cylinders in substantially upright operative position on a supporting surface when said frame is tilted to an upright position for use of said outt, and means at the forward end of said frame for connecting said carrier to an automotive vehicle for said highway transport thereof with the forward end of said frame inclined above said horizontal position and with said smaller wheel maintained out of contact with said supporting surface.

3. A carrier for transporting a welding outfit as a highway vehicle and by manual operation comprising a frame, a pair of vehicle wheels at either side of said frame, a swivel wheel at the forward end of said frame adapted to support said frame in substantially horizontal position for manual movement from place to place, a holder on said frame for removably receiving a plurality of cylinders containing gas for welding, said holder including a forward portion positioned above said frame when in horizontal position, a rearward portion separate from said forward portion positioned above said frame when in horizontal position and spaced rearwardly of the rear of said frame, and resilient means connecting said rear ward portion with said frame, part of said resilient means being substantially at right angles to said frame and said resilient means providing a pivot for rocking said frame to an upright operative position and a base for supporting said frame in said upright operative position, and connecting means at the forward end of the frame for connecting said carrier to an automotive highway Vehicle for transport thereby on the highway with said swivel wheel maintained out of contact with the ground.

4. In a carrier adapted for transporting a welding outt as a highway vehicle and by manual operation and for supporting it in upright position during operation, the combination of a frame, a pair of vehicle wheels 'at either side of said frame, a wheel at the forward end of said frame adapted to support said frame in substantially horizontal position for manual movement from place to place, a holder on said frame for removably receiving a plurality of cylinders containing gas for welding, resilient means at the rear of said frame forming rear sup-ports for said holder, said resilient means including portions which are substantially horizontal and other portions which `are substantially upright when said frame is in horizontal position, said upright por tions constituting a base for maintaining said welding outfit in an upright operative position with all of said wheels off the ground when said carrier is tilted to said upright position, the portion of said resilient means between the horizontal and upright portions thereof constituting a pivot for rocking said frame from one position to the other, and connecting means at the forward end of the frame for connecting said carrier to `an automotive vehicle for transport thereby with said forward wheel maintained out of contact with the ground.

5. A carrier for transporting a welding outfit as la highway vehicle and by manual operation comprising a frame, a pair of vehicle wheels at either side of said frame, a swivel wheel at the forward end of said frame adapted to support said frame `in substantially horizontal position for manual movement from place to place, a holder on said frame for removably receiving a plurality of cylinders containing gas for welding, clamp means for securely retaining said cylinders in said holder during use and providing for ready removal and replacement thereof, rear- -wardly extending resilient means on said frame, said means including a substantially horizontal portion constituting a spring for said holder when said cylinders therein are in horizontal position and a substantially upright portion providing a support for said holder when said cylinders are in horizontal position and a base for said holder when said cylinders are in upright operative position, and a central portion providing a pivot for rocking said carrier and welding outt from one position to the other, and connecting means at the forward end of the frame for connecting said carrier to an automotive vehicle for highway .transport thereby with said swivel wheel maintained out of contact with the ground.

6. A retaining unit for a welding outfit adapted for holding said ouiit in position during operation and for transporting it as a highway Vehicle, comprising a frame, a holder for removably receiving a plurality of cylinders containing gas for welding spaced above said frame, said holder including a forward cylinder-receiving section and a rearward cylinder-receiving section spaced from said forward section, means for attaching said front section to said frame, means for attaching said rear section to said frame, said latter means including resilient portions substantially in the plane of said frame and flat portions substantially at right angles to said rst portions cooperating with said rear section of said holder to provide a relatively thin flat base lying iiat on a supporting surface for releasably receiving the bottom end of said cylinders when said bottom end is in contact with said surface during loading and unloading of said cylinders into said unit, said base supporting said unit on said surface 1n upright operative position for a welding operation, a pair of vehicle wheels at either side of said frame and a single wheel at the forward end of said frame for maintaining said retaining unit in substantially horizontal position when said unit has been rocked to such position for manual movement from place to place, and connecting means at the forward end of the frame for connecting said retaining unit to an automotive vehicle for transport as a highway vehicle with the forward end of said frame above the horizontal and said forward wheel maintained out of contact with the ground.

EDWARD E. KETZEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,197,007 Bulley Sept. 5, 1916 1,203,299 Atkins Oct. 31, 1916 1,587,842 Knox June 8, 1926 1,896,249 Russell Feb. 7, 1933 2,219,585 Begin Oct. 29, 1940 2,392,955 Stalcup Jan. 15, 1946 2,463,967 Hefelnger Mar. 8, 1949 2,513,604 Vandermark July 4, 1950 2,513,932 Grube July 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 217,372 Switzerland Oct. 15, 1941 

